Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 85

A Monsieur Halévy Breguet No. 265, recorded in the archives as early as June 21, 1791, completed by Janeret on January 1792, sold to M. Lorand on March 30, 1792 for 1,000 Francs. Fine and rare 18K gold quarter dumb repeating pocket watch, nouveau calibre.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 40,000 - 50,000 / USD 50,000 - 65,000

Sold: CHF 109,250

C. Gold with square band, polished, the back engraved with the monogram of Elie Halévy. D. White enamel with Breguet numerals and stars, and fleur-de-lys minute divisions. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Inverted gilt brass full plate, the back plate relieved for the going barrel secured by a bridge. Early overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Quarter dumb repeating by depressing the pendant.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 11
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 24 - 01

Notes

This watch is one of the earliest which was fitted by Breguet with his celebrated overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, initially referred to by him as the ?échappement isolé?. First used for precision watches only, it was soon fitted on his ?montres de souscription? and slightly later on all his watches for civilian use. The case of this watch is almost identical to that of all the first series of ?montres perpetuelles?. This watch later came back to the Breguet family, as attested by the monogram ?EH? engraved on the back of the case. These are the initials of Elie Halévy 1870-1937, French philospher and historian. In 1868, Louise Breguet, great granddaughter of Abraham Louis Breguet, had married Ludovic Halévy, the celebrated librettist of Carmen. Elie Halévy was their son.